Saturday, August 11, 2018

When I present the monthly card making class at the Crestwood Library, there are new crafters and experienced crafters. And they only pay $5 for 4 cards! So there is a big planning situation -- simple enough but interesting and budget friendly (for me). But it is definitely one of my favorite offerings, because my Mom is one of the regulars!

Last month we made these cards and one more, that I seem to have lost LOL. Sometimes I do some of the stamping for them, like the candles on the first card. Because the yellow and green candles use the same stamp, new people and big classes can't seem to manage cleaning the stamp before dipping it into another color ink. So I did the stamping ahead to protect my ink pads, that helps keep my costs down too!

I also try to make the cards lovely and interesting without a lot of embellishments or designer series paper, although these papers are so gorgeous, I really wanted to try to tempt the ladies into investing in some supplies of their own! So far, they are happy to come to the class and let me do the investing. Although I have to admit, some of them have asked me to do the class every week. But I know what happens then, we don't have a sold out class ever again!

So for now, it is time to pack up my goodies and head back to Crestwood for the August class. Look out Stampers, we will be having fun Monday night!

While we are on the topic of copying creative projects, here is another one!

If you have ever had a copy of the Stampin' Up! catalog, you know it is also known as an "Idea Book." And for good reason, every page has samples of cards and projects created using the stamps and punches and dies that are featured.

This group of cards, tags and butterflies is from the Garden Impressions Suite of products. These stamps are so beautiful and so easy to use! You don't have to line things up perfectly, you don't have to own the perfect shade of ink and you can substitute whatever beautiful DSP (designer series paper) you have on hand.

And the branch came from my back yard! So grab your catalog and find some great ideas!

Friday, August 10, 2018

There has been a ton of chatter online lately about copying. Publishing pictures of cards and letting viewers assume the publisher actually made the card when they didn't; copying a project and not admitting it wasn't an original idea; offering classes based on other designers work.

Let me tell you right now, Pinterest, Instagram and FaceBook make this very easy and tempting. I LOVE to browse all the cute projects that people post! Don't you? Of course! Hours of life lost to swiping and saving. But I am especially excited when a project is SO CUTE that I get off my butt and go copy it!
Today I have one for you that I have totally copied. First I had to go online and find the treat, then jump in the car and drive to WalMart to buy the treat. Then I could copy the project making sure it would fit right and hold my cookies!

Erica Cerwin designed this box and decorated it with the new Little Elephant bundle, stamps and punch. I just took advantage of her post which included the measurements and made my own version of this darling box! If you love it too, you can Google Erica, she publishes tons of great Stampin' Up! work, and she cheerfully shares the dimensions and instructions for anyone to use.

If you are wondering what Elephants eat, obviously it is peanuts. What do Stampers eat? Nutter Butter cookies!

I would love to help you make this project or an others that strike your fancy, just let me know!

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Last chance friends! Please don't let a great deal pass you by, if you are in the market for new colors! Stampin' Up! is offering you an entire color collection of ink pads FREE when you buy the $99 Demonstrator Kit. You get to select any combination of products that total up to $125 and you pay just $99 + tax (shipping is FREE). I promise you, there are no strings attached, other than the 20% discount, an inspiration magazine, access to FaceBook groups and an exclusive demonstrator website.

The other promotion ending today is the Buy Three, get One FREE -- Designer Series Paper promotion. Scroll down to my last post to see all the great DSP included in this deal, and get your order in online or give me a call now because this ends in about 15 hours!

I participated in a Shoebox Swap last week, and these are the cards we made. There were just a few demonstrators attending, so I am showing you all of our creations today. First is mine, and I used a new embellishment, these cute birthday candles! They come in a container of 24 silver and gold candles and they have adhesive on the back, just peel off the release paper and attach, very strong and secure!

I use Pinterest all the time for ideas and inspiration, you should too! But be careful to know your goal. Our theme was Masculine Cards, and honestly, I searched Pinterest for Masculine Cards and built my card based on something I saw there. But Katie and Jacki jumped on an idea and ran with it. Great card idea, but two people brought almost identical kits for us to make! LOL Super cute, versatile and a winner of a design!

Sue used the fab Pick A Pennant bundle to create her red-white-&-blue beauty. I thought it looked super familiar (maybe Pinterest?) but she reminded me that she sent me a very similar birthday card this month! Fun!

The last card today is from Barbara, and if I have to pick, this one might be my fave. Clean and Simple! And it employs the Stamparatus for perfect placement. Also, the gorgeous boxed bundle Darling Label Punch Box makes this card and so many more!

OK, friends, so get your wish list together, click on the link above and order your free ink pads when you join, then place your first discounted order and get some free Designer Series Paper!

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

If you arent aware, Stampin' Up! has a couple GREAT deals going on in July. Suddenly it is July 24, so if you don't get going, you will miss out!

For everyone, there is the Designer Series Paper sale -- buy 3 get 1 free. This is a great time to think about your holiday card making and stocking up for all occasions. Check out the catalog, all the DSPs are clustered together, so you can see exactly which ones you love best. Then make sure they are on the sale list and get ordering!!

The second deal is for customers who have a good wish list, but a small budget. Stampin' Up! is giving away a full family of inks when you purchase the Demonstrator Kit. Don't disappear now, because this deal is for you even if you don't want to demonstrate to anyone! You can take advantage of the $99 price, select $125 of product, enjoy free shipping on the order and collect your free ink family. Then just sit back and enjoy the savings. If you want to earn more goodies at a discount, that is awesome and I'll be glad to coach you on the many different avenues available. OR, just enjoy the products you got at a great discount!

These two cards were made for the last OnStage event, in Milwaukee. I used Brusho to create the cool backgrounds. The green and gold one uses the Tropic Thinlet Dies to cut the beautiful square of fronds. The second one uses Sea of Textures bundle to stamp and cut the octopus. Well, I actually fussy-cut him, because I didn't have the dies at the time. But the Brusho makes a perfect ocean background!

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Have you seen the Botanical Bliss bundle yet? These are the samples I brought to the Stampin' Up! OnStage event in April.

This cute ribbon is a dream to work with, too. If you like to make tags and book marks, these two dies are perfect! But they also make lovely elements for your cards.

I hope you are planning on joining me Saturday morning for the annual Retired Stampin' Up! garage sale. I will be selling all my retired products, some samples, some random crafty supplies that are in great shape, just over-purchased.

If you are local, you are welcome to drop in after 9:00. This is usually a FLASH Sale, where everyone is here within the first hour, so I never bother to post a closing time, I just start packing up at 11:00 or so. Therefore, be here early, or forget about it!

Hostess and club members, you have special access, so be sure to look at your email.

Friday, June 29, 2018

My friend Glenda Travelstead offers these great events for demonstrators (and friends) so we can use her stamps and try out the new products. On Saturday I attended and stamped 12 cards before lunch! She does a great job of designing or CASEing, prepping and organizing this Shoebox Swap style event so big thanks to Glenda!

Shown here are the remaining 6 cards from this event. Want more details or ready to order supplies? Just let me know or shop online!

1 - This first card is one of my faves, although I haven't ordered any of the stamps yet! The Bokeh dots background stamp is so versatile and the dandelions are so sweet!

2 - This is one of those classic layout cards, black background, lemon-lime twist and melon mambo for the pop of color!

3 - Pop of petals bundle makes it so easy to create nice flowers. You will be seeing these on lots of Christmas cards this year!

4 - Do you like the English tea cup theme? We have an entire suite for you this catalog!

About Me

I was introduced to Stampin' Up! products about a dozen years ago, and I would pull out my 3 stamp sets and two ink colors and make a goofy card every so often. . .until a great demonstrator lit a fire in my soul. Now I am spreading the love and the fire and stamping day and night. Join me! dtollaksen@wideopenwest.com

click here to order from my website

Blog Archive

The small print

The content of this blog is my sole responsibility as an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator and the use of and content of the classes, services, or products offered on this blog is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!